City's architectural future at crossroads

City's architectural future at crossroads



By DON CRICHLOW
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 06/08/09

The current proposal to reconstruct the turn-of-the century "Bishop's Building" at the corner of St. George Street and Cathedral Place, 180 St. George St., has developed into an issue much bigger than this particular building.

The question now appears to be: "What is the correct type of architecture for downtown St. Augustine?" This is an important moment in our city's future. Are we to become a "Spanish Williamsburg" or should all architectural styles that have contributed to our history be recognized?

Prior to 2003, all new construction in the downtown historic districts HP-1, HP-2, and HP-3 was required to be colonial. However, HP-1 (the mostly residential area south of King Street) was virtually void of any history of colonial buildings. Why require a homeowner to build in the colonial style in the midst of a street full of bungalows and framed vernacular homes? Recognizing this, the City Commission in 2003 passed a resolution, 2003-01, which allows other styles of architecture if:

* there is evidence of that style of architecture on the site.

* the proposed design reflects the architecture around it.

* the city's Historical Architectural Review Board determines that it is compatible with the neighborhood.

Somehow it was passed by the commission with all three preservation districts included. I strongly feel that HP-3, the area north of Hypolita St. and south of Orange St., also known as the "restoration district" should not have been included in this resolution.

I believe, also strongly, that HP-2, the area of downtown south of Hypolita Street and north of King Street, should be included in the resolution that allows other types of architectural styles.

HP-2 is composed mostly of turn-of-the-century architecture. Few colonial buildings exist. Even the area around the Plaza is void of the colonial style. This area is dominated by the 1930s renovated Government House, the 1880s rebuilt Cathedral, the 1927 First National Bank Building, and other later Flagler era buildings.

On May 18, HARB unanimously approved the 180 St. George St. project, clearly stating in the decision that, the turn-of-the-century commercial style was the most appropriate architectural style for the site. It is adjacent to other commercial style buildings and there is recorded evidence of the former building on the site.

On the City Commission's agenda tonight is a resolution that would require "all new construction in the city's HP-2 and HP-3 districts to employ an external design based on any colonial architecture."

If passed, this resolution would require colonial construction where there may never have been colonial structures. It would require a colonial design where there is no fact to base the design on. It would require "conjectural historical architecture." There is an oxymoron. This goes against every principle of historic preservation, including our own Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation that says "new construction should not create a false sense of historical development through the use of conjectural features." Further, it is state that "it should compliment historic architecture around it. It should pick up significant themes such as height, materials, roof form, massing, setbacks, and the rhythm of openings to ensure that a new building blends with its context."

As a City Commissioner for this wonderful city, I am proud not only of its Spanish beginnings, but of its evolution through the preceding centuries.

History is a journey of change. To ignore any part of it is to lose a link in the chain, the strength of continuity.

What makes St. Augustine unique is its authenticity. We are the real thing. We should strive to be historic but not get stuck in one era. Let's not become a "one-hit wonder" like Williamsburg, Va., Santa Fe, N.M., or Helen, Ga. This ordinance as proposed, has the potential of allowing our city to develop into a cheap, Spanish Colonial amusement park.

#

Don Crichlow is the architect for the 180 St. George St. project. He also is in his second term on the St. Augustine City Commission. He has recused himself from voting on the proposed project. A native of St. Augustine, he is an architect with Don Crichlow and Associates.

Click here to return to story:
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/060809/opinions_060809_016.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record